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Just a couple of quick words I created this book with the intention to add value to those who are on the same journey I was on, or who are exploring ways to build on the breakthroughs theyve already had, and help any others that they may come who are on a similar path. Any income I derive from this book is secondary, and most certainly a latter priority. If you decided to buy this book from me Thank you for supporting my work! When you decide to support my work it helps me to produce more content like this, so I can go onto help many more people. Every book sold gets me one step closer to a happier world, where many more people are introduced to the idea that happiness around your body doesnt come from changing how you look on the outside, but from changing how you think about yourself on the inside. This is the primary message Im delivering. If you did not buy this book I hope that you get a lot of value from it, and that you really enjoy reading and applying it as much as I enjoyed creating it. If it really helps you to breakthrough, please consider paying for the book retrospectively by buying a physical or electronic copy from http://nickritchielive.com and going on to share it with your friends. Please feel free to share this book with your friends.

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The quality of our lives are based upon the quality of our thoughts. ~Nick Ritchie

The Body-Image Issue

Poor body-confidence and body-image is one of the most prevalent stressors in the 21st century, yet because many people across society have a rather low bodyimage or a body-image thats linked to their ego (materialism), this issue goes relatively unnoticed. Body-Image refers to how a person feels about their physical body, and this is broken down into how they feel about the level of aesthetics and sexual attractiveness they think they possess. Aesthetics encompassing the shape, weight and proportions of the body, and sexual attractiveness referring to how sexy they think they are (or are not) to the opposite sex (or same sex if one is homosexual). From the moment we are born as a (mostly) clean slate, there are many factors in our environment both inside and outside of us that can create poor body-image from cultural and social ideals, to past personal experiences along with what some say are biological predispositions. Biological predispositions in my opinion, are misguided in that we are all predisposed to the elements around us, yet how we respond to those elements determines the result we get. We know for a fact, that poor nutrition leads to a lack of function in the brain which can result in various symptoms such as depression and anxiety, but as with everything we experience, the power lies within ourselves to create the changes we want. Poor Body-Image is also not something we are born with, therefore it is something that is gradually developed over-time. For many people, poor bodyNICKRITCHIELIVE.COM 3

image is perpetuated through a series of frequent comparisons. Comparing their hips to that person, their arms to that person, their waist and legs to that person, and their butt and shoulders to that other person do you notice where this is going? The more comparisons you make, the worse your body-image becomes. Some comparisons were made at a very early age, through a childs impression of the world, and thus, tend to be much more distorted and deluded than a comparison made as an adult. Sometimes that requires us to dig into our past and turn over a new leaf with that memory (so to speak), and other times it doesnt. As with everything, the approach to therapy varies depending on the individual. History shows us that in many cultures there has existed ideals among society of the way the perfect body should look, which the people have always struggled to live up to. To show how far reaching these ideals are in our own western culture we only need to look around to see how prevalent the emphasis on beauty truly is. In fact, a large study was recently completed by the American Psychological Association finding that the sexualization of women was contributing to increased anxiety associated with body-image. In fact, body-image has become such a problem in our western culture that we dont even notice it exists; because almost everyone has the same issues! In one of the largest international studies on body-image conducted (which spanned over 10 countries), 3200 women were interviewed and the researchers found that only 2% considered themselves beautiful, and nearly 50% believed they were too fat. There are many factors associated with developing a poor body-image, and so awareness around what causes it, and how it is perpetuated helps provide us with a launching pad to breakthrough it. Much of body-image is unconscious, meaning we are not consciously (on the surface level) always aware of the thoughts that are running through our minds, and as such, The Perfect Body Mindset program is a powerful tool in modifying our unconscious thinking habits to create a completely different conscious outcome.
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Although in some people, negative body-image can lead to mental illnesses such as eating disorders, depression or anorexia, this is not always the case for everyone. But do keep in mind that men are not exempt from negative body-image; Recent research suggests that many men wish to become leaner and more muscular like they see on the covers of mens magazine covers, or what they perceived as children when playing with action figurines or watching cartoons of muscular heroes. In a recent study, western men, compared to their Asian counter-parts, wished to gain an additional 30 pounds of muscle mass than they perceived they currently had. In a survey completed by Psychology Today, researchers found that 56% of women and 40% of men were dissatisfied with their overall appearance. To the modern western man, it appears as though a link between the amount of muscle mass and their level of masculinity has been created, which is in my opinion, a false expectation. In a recent survey women were asked, what was the first thing they noticed about other woman when out with friends, and the majority of the respondents replied, How fat she is. Continuing, the researchers found that women had an average of 13 negative things to say about themselves each day such as, I hate my stomach, I hate my thighs or Im ugly. In an even larger international survey, researchers found that 90% of women aged 15 to 64 want to change at least one thing about their body, most of all their body weight. So we understand that the majority of people are affected in some way by poor body-image, its just that because this way of thinking about ourselves is so widely accepted amongst society, its difficult for many people to realize they have a problem, or could even do something about it if they knew they were struggling. Body-Image is so emphasized throughout our culture that even girls as young as five have strong ideas about weight, such as fat is bad and skinny is good. These perceptions around the body are created so early for most people that we tend to accept them as truth, and thus, live our lives according to that truth (or world-view). When in actual reality, those perceptions are completely false
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because ideals are subjective, and that means we are living our lives according to a false sense of reality, in much the same way that a person with depression believes that the world is an unhappy place to live in, when in actual reality, the world is what we make of it. Body-Image can be measured by comparing yourself to images of what you think the ideal body should look like. When making the comparisons, the difference between how you perceive your body, and the ideal body is what determines the level of dissatisfaction (if any). Researchers have found a link between body dissatisfaction and women who smoke cigarettes, along with a discomfort around engaging in behaviors associated with intimate relationships, such as being able to express their sexuality fully.

Secrets To Loving The Body You Were Born With

Its no coincidence that some people genuinely appear to feel amazing about their bodies, ooze with total confidence and love listening to their own inner voice. These people have developed a highly acute sense of awareness around their thoughts, and as a result, have learned to redirect the focus of their attention at will, onto thoughts that make them feel good, rather than ones that dont. How often have you been standing in front of the mirror, or about to go out with friends, and found yourself nitpicking body-parts? If you havent, Im sure you know others who certainly do, right? Perhaps youve been out with friends and reached for that piece of chocolate cake, only to remember what a friend said about your body earlier in the evening, or maybe you wanted to go to that pool party, but those thoughts in your head told you to stay home because you didnt have a bikini that fitted right, right?
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I remember waking up one morning and sleepily making my way into the bathroom only to begin brushing my teeth, and as I did, I looked down at my body and heard theres something wrong with your arms and I felt that negative voice burry me once again in that familiar old rug of doom for the day. Know what I mean? Like you just wake up and almost instantly feel bad for no reason? You know how you want to feel about your body, but somehow you just kept getting pulled back into those old thinking habits? The difference between where you are now, and how you think about your body, versus how people who successfully love their bodies (and themselves) inside and out, is in your focus. After I began working with an incredible coach, I discovered that over 70,000 thoughts are running through every human-beings mind every single day! 70,000! Thats quite a lot of thoughts, dont you think? Thats what I thought! Luckily, most of those thoughts are unconscious thoughts. Meaning, they are thoughts that run our body, such as the thought to beat your heart in your chest, to move your left foot in front of the right while walking, and to focus and de-focus your eyes as needed. But then theres also many of those thoughts that are constantly popping in and out of our conscious awareness. Some of those thoughts are ones that we pay attention to, and others are not. I used to get caught up in all of those negative thoughts, and I would literally revisit them over and over again, replaying them in my mind until I had completely tied my body up in knots. My stomach was twisted, my chest throbbed painfully, and my head was swelling! Or so it felt! I would look in the mirror, and those thoughts would distort my reflection to the point where I couldnt even see what was in front of me. All that was left standing was a twisted deluded version of me. All of my self-perceived imperfections were magnified with lethal precision.
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I heard that familiar voice stir up and begin screaming angry hateful thoughts at me. Before long I found it difficult to distinguish between voices in my head, and the voices outside my head. Both felt equally as real to me. Perhaps you can relate on some level to how I used to focus? Maybe you too visit negative thoughts repetitively like I used to? Can I assume that as you read these words that you believe its time to make a real change to the way you think? That youve had enough of feeling this unconfident and poorly about your body? That youre tired of hearing the empty promises from gyms, personal trainers, infomercial exercise equipment and diet program gurus... And all of those people who are selling you on the dream, but living the nightmare? What dream? That dream that once you get that toned hot body that youll finally feel happy. Happy with your body, and yourself in general. But if youre anything like me, then youve tried that, and it didnt work. Youve realized it didnt work, because feeling good comes from changing the way you focus. The way you focus on your thoughts, and whats going on outside of you. And everyone else (including the personal trainers) are waking up to this, just like you are now. If youre ready to feel really good about your body, and literally retrain your brain, then head over to http://nickritchielive.com and check out The Perfect Body Mindset program. It contains my simple 5-step process to changing the way you think about your body, so you can finally love yourself from the inside out. Complete with eBook, video and audio programs designed to help you get the most from your time, watch at home, read beach-side, or listen in the car. Even if you dont click the buy now button, at least youll have the secrets to loving the body you were born with. Heres secret #1

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SECRET #1: Each day, find one non-physical attribute about yourself that you like
You are a unique individual with a range of different attributes. Place your awareness on one of those attributes and thank yourself for having the ability to recognize it. Be grateful that you can see positive traits inside yourself. Some of those traits could be, that you are a loyal friend, a caring mother, or a reliable employee or business owner.

SECRET #2: Each day, remind yourself that there is divinity in everyone
From the CEO to the homeless man on the street, infinite divinity exists. You see, what we project onto others, what we see, hear and feel in others, is a projection of what we see, hear and feel in ourselves. If we see everyone as dark and negative, we see ourselves as capable of dark and negative behaviors. If we see everyone as divine and capable of infinite creativity, we see ourselves as divine and capable of infinite creativity.

SECRET #3: Each day, focus on being your best, rather than being the best
Instead of competing with others, realize that competing with others is only competing against yourself, for others are merely a reflection of you. When it comes to how you look, you dont have to look better than anyone else, just look your best. Wear clothes that fit you well, attend to your own personal grooming, and keep clean and fresh (unless youre at a mud fight!)

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SECRET #4: Reframe other peoples negative body-image complaints

No doubt during your journey you will come across people who are still behaving the way you were about their bodies. When you do hear a complaint, find something you like about them thats non-physical related and genuinely share it with them. It may or may not change the way they are looking at their current complaint on the surface, but you can be sure in knowing it will have a positive impact on some level inside them.

SECRET #5: Notice the negative and replace it with positive self-talk
As your thinking habits are adjusting to the new patterns of thinking, there may be occasions where negative thoughts crop up, just stop, notice them, and then redirect your focus onto positive thoughts about yourself. Practice breaking state, and talk to yourself as if you are your own best friend.

SECRET #6: Explore the mind-body connection

The mind-body-spirit complex is just that a complex. One part cannot exist without the other, and each part is uniquely interdependent upon the other for maintaining health of the whole. This is why practices such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation and dance help people to feel more at peace and whole. Explore various practices of bringing the mind, body and spirit together and find what you feel at the time creates the most connection and enjoyment for you. Over time, you may change from one practice to another, and that is okay too. The key message here, is that you are consciously exploring ways to care for the whole complex, of that which you are.

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SECRET #7: Notice which positive traits you appreciate in others

The positive and admirable traits that you notice in others, you have in yourself. You just may not have noticed them yet. Of those same people, its most probably whats on the inside that counts, rather than whats on the outside through physical appearance. Make a list of the positive traits you value in them, and then search within to discover times in your life when youve displayed those same traits yourself. You may be surprised at just how similar you are to those people whose traits you value so much.

SECRET #8: Become aware of media manipulation

Become aware of just how much the media manipulates images and videos. Realize that 100% of the images found in magazines have been manipulated using imaging software to such a degree that they might as well be cartoons. Yes, thats just how far they literally stretch people out of humanly proportions. The same goes for any other media such as movies, television, adverts and billboards. You wouldnt compare yourself to a character in the kids cartoon shows, so dont do the same with any other form of media.

About Nick Ritchie

Nick is genuinely passionate about making peoples lives better through sharing his own experience of breaking through poor body-image, and providing tools and strategies that he has not only used to improve his own body-image, but also many other people whom hes worked with world-wide.
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Nick is originally from Christchurch, New Zealand and now resides in Perth, Australia. He began his personal development journey in 2000 as he started teaching himself about new ways of thinking and behaving through the many online magazines and websites that were available at the time. By 2004 Nick had dropped out of high school and had hit an all-time low of self-esteem, but in the end of that year he was suddenly exposed to a self-development concept that caused him to think differently; about how he was more than his past, and his present And how in rather than just living a life, he could design a future and create any way of being he wished. Since then, Nick has gone on to speak publicly in the areas of personal development, health, wellness, and through sharing his own personal breakthrough story, has become a leader in the body-image empowerment movement. Nick has researched and studied a wide area of subjects including NLP, Hypnosis, Psychology, Personal Development, Exercise, and Nutrition, where he combines all of these highly sought after skill-sets into his coaching programs to provide a unique and individualized approach when working with clients. This has led Nick over his career to work as a Personal Trainer, Nutrition Adviser, Business Coach, Life Coach, NLP Practitioner & Hypnotherapist. He has created several books, including audio and video programs and has plans to create additional products that are designed to increase the quality of peoples lives worldwide. Heres a little from Nick I just wanted to say that I appreciate you taking the time to learn a little bit more about me. Firstly, I have to say that I absolutely love my wife! And secondly, that Im continuously looking for new ways to expand my knowledge, awareness and consciousness Theres something I really enjoy about reading those mind-stretching books, speaking with out-of-the-box thinkers, and just generally learning from the lessons that life throws at me, because I just know theyre all designed to help me grow spiritually as a person, and thats a pretty cool thing!
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I also love going to the movies, listening to music and chilling beach-side where I reside in Perth, Australia. But I wasnt always healthy, in mind or body. I was born two months early as a premature baby where almost from the get-go my life had always felt like a constant struggle for me I struggled to make friends at school and was constantly bullied. I struggled to do well in my classes, and would get held back. In high school I struggled with low self-worth, self-esteem, confidence and poor body-image Until I eventually dropped out of high school and I found myself finishing up after a long day of farm work milking cows, I was sitting on my bed covered in cow dung and as I looked down at my hands, I had a moment of realization and of decision. In that moment, I made the decision that I was going to be, do and have more than I had ever had in the past. I was no longer going to be a prisoner to my past. I had never been the person I needed to be to get the results I wanted in my life, but in that moment something inside me snapped, and I just knew that I could break-free of the limitations of my mind. From that moment on, I set the sails for a new destination in my life, and started a journey that has gone on to create more happiness and fulfillment in my life than I ever thought possible. Later I went on to completely transform my body, and in the process, I created an entirely new set of issues around eating and my body that never existed in the same way before. In fact, transforming my body in the gym only perpetuated the issues I already had!

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Sure, I had issues about the way I looked, but never in the way I did after I began to see results in the gym. I became obsessed with my body, and wanted to look the best. I looked at food as either good or bad, and this only perpetuated unbalanced feelings and actions towards food. I would beat myself up mentally if I ate something that I thought was bad, and feel guilty if I ate something I thought was good. I couldnt win. I would binge and then restrict my intake. This wasnt making me happy at all, and there came a point when I was ready to breakthrough. Similar to the point youre at right now, reading this book. Throughout my journey, Ive learned and overcome a lot (including these issues, where Im now completely free from them Whoo hoo!) and I still continue to learn, because I believe theres always something to learn Fast tracking, Ive now spent almost a full decade immersed in the fields of NLP, Hypnosis, Psychology, Exercise, Personal Development and Nutrition successfully implementing this knowledge on myself and with clients to produce the type of results theyve always wanted, and thats how my programs were created (like the one your reading right now) And Ive now coached hundreds of people worldwide on how to feel happy in their own skin by changing the way they think including in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Europe (so my knowledge has been tested by the best) And Ive appeared on radio, magazine and newspaper because of my work in these areas. I dont share this with you to impress you, but to impress upon you that anyone can achieve the results they want if theyre willing to take consistent massive action. Upon writing this short book I started with the intention to help you gain awareness around the key contributor to poor body-image, and Im happy to say that upon the completion of this book I believe I have done just that. One of the most challenging areas of life for many people, is getting started, and then following all the way through to completion selecting the right program or
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coach to improve your body-confidence can progress to years of freedom around the way you feel about yourself, whereas not choosing a good coach or resource could mean you dont gain the level of results you were originally looking for. I just hope that youve enjoyed the value Ive provided in this book and the secrets to loving the body you were born with Warmly,

Nick Ritchie

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Disclaimer: This program is designed for educational use by the consumer only. It is not a substitute for psychological advice, and shouldnt be considered so. There are a variety of decisions one can make when it comes to educating themselves on areas they most wish to improve in their lives. It is recommend that consumers of this program always seek the advice of professionals, even if you find the contents of this program has helped you in some way. Never avoid, disregard or put off working with a licensed professional counselor if something in this program affects your behavior in an adverse way.

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